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Its strategic location, economic importance and vast natural resources make this province one of the richest in Cuba.
This province offers one of the most peculiar contrasts you can find in Cuba, from the big tourist resorts in Varadero to the countryside lifestyle of small villages few kilometers to the south.
The main town is Matanzas city, the capital of the province, founded on October 12th, 1693, with approximately 144 000 inhabitants, and located 95 km east of Havana on the main tourist circuit in Cuba (Havana- Varadero). Due to its rich natural and cultural patrimony people know it also as “The City of Bridges” and “The Athenes of Cuba”.
East of Matanzas city is located the famous and beautiful beach of Varadero, which has probably the highest concentration of hotels and foreign visitor and the least local lifestyle you can find in Cuba.
The south coast is dominated by La Cienaga de Zapata, which is the biggest swamp in the Caribbean region and one of the most important Natural reserves in Cuba.
Matanzas is the birthplace of the international known rhythm called Rumba, created by the freed slaves that lived in this area.

Getting there and moving around.

This is the easiest province to travel from Havana, especially if your destination is on the northern part of the Province. Buses from companies like Astro, Viazul are running several times a day connecting Varadero, Matanzas city and the Cuban capital.
Transfers and excursions with foreign visitors are common between Havana and Varadero.
Matanzas city has also train connection with Havana including the slow local train of Hersey.
From Varadero there are buss connections with other main sights and cities like Santa Clara, Trinidad and Cienfuegos.
At the south of the province the transport system is less developed but the highway called Autopista Nacional is used by hikers to travel from west to east and vice versa.
Buses travelling from Havana to cities like Cienfuegos and Trinidad cross this area, using the Autopista Nacional.
Varadero has one of the main International airports in Cuba “ Juan Gualberto Gomez “ that receives several international flights with thousands of visitors interested in the white sand the turquoise colour of the sea in this emblematic peninsula.